Editorial: Send a clear message — No room here for hate

Updated 6:02 pm, Monday, February 27, 2017

“We must secure the existence of our race and a future for white children.”

Hundreds of fliers bearing those so-called Fourteen Words, the world’s most popular white supremacist mantra, were found stuffed into mailboxes and tossed on driveways last week in Norwalk, Wilton, Westport, and Weston. The discovery disturbed homeowners and frustrated authorities whose options may be limited by First Amendment protections.

The fliers, encased in plastic sleeves and weighted with gravel, also bore the words “MAKE AMERICA WHITE AGAIN,” and listed a website run by Mike Enoch, characterized by the Southern Poverty Law Center as an “an alt-right” extremist. That they were distributed at night only adds to the menacing nature of the message and the cowardice of those who delivered it.

This unwanted litter has no place in our communities. Fairfield County residents and officials were quick to denounce both the message and the messengers. “I condemn this action in the strongest possible terms: it is divisive and hateful,” Mayor Harry Rilling wrote in an open letter to Norwalk residents. “It’s not what Norwalk represents. Our city is diverse in its racial, ethnic and social makeup. And that is both a strength and part of our rich cultural heritage as Americans.”

Local police — like authorities in the numerous other communities that have been littered with similar white nationalist propaganda — are looking for those responsible. Absent a direct threat, however, their options may be few.

Words and symbols in and of themselves may not be deemed threatening. But there can be no mistake: The purpose of racist speech is to motivate racist behavior. Often, that translates into violence.

Hate is an attack on a community’s well-being. As the Anti-Defamation League pointed out in a report on the state of white supremacy in America, “It only takes a few people with hate in their hearts to wound a city or a nation.”

Fortunately, throughout the country, decent people are rising up to promote tolerance and inclusion, Fairfield County citizens among them. Within days, Norwalk resident Sharon Baanante had launched a community-driven initiative to showcase the city’s diversity. The Love ALL Project (facebook.com/loveallproject) has already received an outpouring of support from like-minded Norwalkers seeking to combat racism and celebrate multiculturalism.

In an atmosphere charged with hatred, doing nothing equals acceptance. Action, on the other hand, sends a clear message to hate groups that their words, ideology, and presence will not be tolerated here.

How can you participate? There’s no shortage of ways. Summon your friends and neighbors. Come together. Speak up at church or at school. Create a coalition. Organize a peaceful march or candlelight vigil. Perform acts of kindness. Expose discrimination. Teach children to value diversity. Teach adults as well. Lobby community leaders to take a stand. Reach out to minorities and other targeted groups. Let it be known there is no place in Fairfield County for racist fliers, speeches, or acts.